Running back has long been a position of strength at North Texas, but it was Patrick Cobbs who reached new heights of success by becoming the first player in school history to lead the nation in rushing.
In 2003, Cobbs rushed for 1,680 yards, averaging a national-best 152.7 yards per game and scoring a school-record 19 touchdowns. He earned All-America honors and was the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year, leading North Texas to a third-straight appearance in the New Orleans Bowl. A year later, Cobbs sustained a season-ending injury but bounced back in 2005 to rush for 1,154 yards, earn a second All-Conference award, and become North Texas’s all-time leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards.
Cobbs’ school records were eclipsed in 2011, but he still ranks second in both categories. He also earned two degrees at North Texas, a bachelor's in applied arts and science and a bachelor's in sociology.
In 2010, Cobbs was inducted into the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame, and in 2013 he was named to the North Texas All-Century Football Team. CBSSports.com named Cobbs to the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team.
After graduating from UNT, the Shawnee, Oklahoma, native was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Later that season he joined the Miami Dolphins, where he spent six seasons and played in 54 games. Cobbs signed with the New Orleans Saints ahead of the 2011 season but did not appear due to injury.
Cobbs earned two degrees at North Texas, a bachelor's in applied arts and science and a bachelor's in sociology.
In 2019, Cobbs returned to North Texas as running backs coach on head coach Seth Littrell's staff. Cobbs joined the Mean Green staff following five seasons as the running backs coach at Denton Ryan High School.